Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Self, School, and Society

Book chapter published in The Palgrave Handbook of Positive Education This chapter was developed by wellbeing, leadership, and regenerative sustainability author, Ash Buchanan who was a significant mentor and friend to me over the past five years. I supported the process as co-author, alongside a host of educators and practitioners collectively inquiring into the future… Continue reading Shifting Mindsets: Transforming Self, School, and Society

Linking Unconditional Positive Regard and Teacher Wellbeing

How can Unconditional Positive Regard support student healing as well as enhance teacher wellbeing? There is evidence to suggest that Unconditional Positive Regard (UPR) not only supports students’ healing and learning at school, but also leads to enhanced teacher wellbeing. So what is Unconditional Positive Regard? It was originally developed by psychologist Carl Rogers in… Continue reading Linking Unconditional Positive Regard and Teacher Wellbeing

A chance to be of value

The end of the year brings opportunities to pause and reflect. I am reflecting on one particular student who challenged and changed me more than any other. He was not at all easy to teach. In fact, we had frequent clashes; there were many days he would leave the classroom in anger, resulting in more… Continue reading A chance to be of value

Mindsets, inner-voice and literacy learning

When we read we cultivate an inner-voice to make meaning, comprehend and engage with the text. The mind of a proficient reader will often fire with connections when reading a text that challenges and engages. At a major climax, their inner voice will be full of excitement. They will sometimes need to pause, re-read and… Continue reading Mindsets, inner-voice and literacy learning

Letting go for learning

I have been reading lately about positive education and feel pulled to integrate its ideas and theories into my practice. Recently, in my junior English class, we watched the film Inside Out: a spirited Pixar animation that playfully explores the emotional tensions experienced in adolescence. I had a clear plan: introduce the ideas of kindness,… Continue reading Letting go for learning